TELEPHONE CHARGES (RURAL RATES).

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to popularise the telephone service in rural areas, he will consider reducing the business rate paid by farmers, doctors, and nurses to that of the residential rate; and what the cost of this concession would be?

I regret that in the application of telephone rates I cannot discriminate between farmers, doctors, nurses, and subscribers engaged in other businesses or professions. In the absence of detailed information as to the number of subscribers in the classes mentioned, I cannot state what would be the cost of such a concession; but it would be large and increasing.